During fasting, to what level do host carbohydrates drop?

During fasting, to what level do host carbohydrates drop?

• A. Nanomolar
• B. Micromolar
• C. Molar
• D. Millimolar

Answer: (B)

During fasting, blood glucose is kept at a few millimoles per liter to power critical tissues like the brain and red blood cells. In practical terms, fasting glucose is about 4–5 mM, which is roughly 70–110 mg/dL. This millimolar level reflects the liver’s production of glucose through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, with insulin relatively low and glucagon (and other counter-regulatory hormones) promoting glucose release. Nanomolar or micromolar ranges would be far too low to meet energy needs, while molar would imply an unrealistically high concentration. So the fasting level of host carbohydrates is in the millimolar range.

During fasting, blood glucose is kept at a few millimoles per liter to power critical tissues like the brain and red blood cells. In practical terms, fasting glucose is about 4–5 mM, which is roughly 70–110 mg/dL. This millimolar level reflects the liver’s production of glucose through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, with insulin relatively low and glucagon (and other counter-regulatory hormones) promoting glucose release. Nanomolar or micromolar ranges would be far too low to meet energy needs, while molar would imply an unrealistically high concentration. So the fasting level of host carbohydrates is in the millimolar range.